Key Contacts

Interface – the knowledge connection for business

Interface – the knowledge connection for business is a match making service connecting businesses quickly and easily to world class expertise, knowledge and research facilities available in Scotland’s Universities and Research Institutes.

Interface’s free and impartial service stimulates innovation and encourages companies to consider academic support to help solve their business challenges. Open to all, Interface proves that collaborating with academic partners brings significant business benefits including increased competitiveness, the introduction of a new product or service and company expansion. Interface also offer advice and guidance in helping identify collaborative funding opportunities that can offset some of the costs involved in working with a university.

Interface is a national organisation with a dedicated Highlands & Islands team based in Inverness. If you are looking for potential collaborators to solve a problem, drive innovation or help with business development activities, the team will carefully establish your requirements and introduce you to the perfect academic partner.

What are the business benefits?

New products/services introduced

Expansion into new markets

New licensing deals

New processes introduced

Jobs safeguarded

New patents registered

Job creation

New product development

Potentially identify and source funding opportunities that may be able to offset the cost of working with an academic partner on a collaborative project.

Interface has links to thousands of experts across a broad spectrum of disciplines, ranging from hospitality and tourism, food and drink, business and marketing as well as arts and humanities.

Watch Interface’s latest case study to see how your business can benefit:

Who is it for?

All businesses, third sector organisations, social enterprises, community groups and development trusts across the whole of Scotland can utilise the Interface service regardless of size, sector or geographical location.
Interface will work with account managed, pipeline and non-account managed organisations.